Nen Threads Ambush: The Phantom Troupe's Probing Hunt

The Nen Threads were as fine as hair, hidden in the darkness and carrying Machi's uniquely icy Nen as they silently coiled toward Gon's neck-a lethal strike capable of snapping bones and tearing apart Nen channels in an instant. Machi lurked in the shadows of the branches, her gaze cold. Her fingertips twitched, and the threads accelerated again. She had calculated that Lin Ye's Nen and Mental Power had yet to fully recover after killing the Black Thorn Giant Python, that everyone had just breathed a sigh of relief and lowered their guard, and, above all, that Gon had lost his Nen and had no means of defending himself. She was certain this strike would succeed. "Watch out!" Lin Ye's roar rang out almost at the exact moment the threads arrived. His Observation Haki Future Sight had already foreseen the lethal ambush. Without even having time to turn, he instantly condensed the conqueror's haki will surrounding him into an invisible barrier in front of Gon. Clang! The threads struck the barrier of will with a clear metallic ring, like blades striking solid iron. They bounced away instantly, dissolving into tiny fragments of Nen in the air. Machi faltered slightly on the branch, surprise flashing in her eyes-she had never expected Lin Ye's willpower to remain so formidable despite his immense expenditure, strong enough to block her all-out ambush in an instant. "Come out. Sneaking around isn't the Phantom Troupe's style." Lin Ye slowly turned, sweeping his icy gaze over the branches overhead. Armament Haki's Ryuo Aura covered his entire body once more, and his Nen surged. "Chrollo sent you to test me? He must think very little of me." As his words fell, three dark figures leaped out of the shadows among the branches at once, landing with dull thuds.